Đà Nẵng — Hosts SHB Đà Nẵng were held to a 1-1 draw by Becamex Bình Dương in 7th round match in the V-League at Chi Lăng Stadium yesterday.

The draw helped Đà Nẵng improve from fourth to the second place in the table with 13 points, five points behind leaders Hải Phòng.

It was a positive draw for Da Nang coach Lê Huỳnh Đức as the hosts had to withstand a barrage of attacks from Bình Dương.

Đà Nẵng played without Argentinean top goal scorer Gaston Merlo due to an ankle injury, leaving Jamaican James Horace to lead the line.

Bình Dương dominated from the opening minutes with a close range shot from Cameroonian Nsi Amougou Christian going just wide.

The hosts replied with an attempt from Horace, but Bình Dương’s keeper Bùi Tấn Trường saved the effort.

Bình Dương kept the pressure on Đà Nẵng thanks to their more powerful squad and sharp strikers.

Top Bình Dương strikers Minh Đức and Uganda’s Oloya Moses posed several problems to Đà Nẵng’s goalie Văn Hưng.

Đức, who won the 2015 Golden Ball Award for the best Vietnamese footballer of the year, scored the opener in the 27th minute with a perfect finish.

Đà Nẵng worked to get back in the game, despite the absence of top striker Merlo.

Nguyễn Hoàng Thiên had a good chance in the 43rd minute, but was denied by Bình Dương keeper Bùi Tấn Trường.

In the second half, Đà Nẵng deservedly got the equaliser.

In the 66th, Thanh Hải levelled the score when he tapped the ball from close range after good team-work from the hosts.

Bình Dương made changes to try and take all three points, but Đà Nẵng crowded their penalty area, content with the single point.

Đà Nẵng had to play with 10 men from the 80th minute after Trần Văn Học was sent off after receiving two yellow cards, but the hosts held out for a share of the spoils.

The draw moved Bình Dương from 6th to fifth place in the table with 11 points after six games. — VNS